All season stock tires or Winter tires

[dietsprite]

I never driven four cylinder car before as I used to have a V6 cars before (never had winter tires on) so I'm not too sure how my Mazda going to perform on snowy/icy roads with my Bridgestone all season stock tires. Essentially I wanted to invest in a new rims + tires for next summer so I thought perhaps I can use my stock rims and tires for winter driving and save the money that I would spend on winter tires to buy them next summer. Or should I just get winter tires and stay with stock rims + tires for the next summer. Can't afford myself to get both. Can I get by with stock or would it really impact my safety. Any recommendations/suggestions ?

[ace_master]

I'm going to get winter tires in the next few months and put them on my stock alloy rims (hoping to see a TM3 group buy thread on winters from a sponsor).
In the spring, I will decide whether I want to swap the tires on the rims out for the originals Bridgestones, or if I'll venture into a set of summer specific tires/rims.

[Genpu_Mz3]

get winter tires, the tires the mazdas come with do not perform well in the winter.

[SKYMP3]

All seasons = No seasons. Not safe in winter and no grip in summer.
Get yourself a set of winter and a set of summer.

[silverstarmazda]

i got a set of kumho asx on my car. and theyre a pretty good summer tire for an "all season" but theyre horrible in the winter... get your self a dedicated tire for the season, you wont regret it.

[chan7]

get winter tires, the tires the mazdas come with do not perform well in the winter.

+1! I ran the stock tires through one winter season and almost got into a couple of accidents as they don't perform well in the wet weather. Investing into winter tires is a must IMO.

[highlineMotors]

Snow tires make a huge difference. The first winter, I drove with low profile Dunlops. I had a shovel in the back seats because I know I would get stuck. I've gotten stuck uphill next to a 18 wheeler, I've gotten stuck on flat surfaces...name it! Now with snow tires, I don't even remember getting stuck at all. So yes, get some snow tires.

[Scottobot]

get winter tires, the tires the mazdas come with do not perform well in the winter.

+1

[Wes08M3]

If your stock bridgestones are almost new you should be able to sell them on kijiji for a pretty good amount. It may take some time but you could likely get enough to cover more than half the cost of your winter tire purchase. So if you only have to spend say $200-$300 on winter tires instead of $500-$700, maybe you'd still be able to get yourself some summer rims/tires and get the best of both worlds.

There's always good sets of winter tires selling on kijiji as well. Maybe you could get a good deal there and pay almost nothing for your winters after you sell your all seasons. Plenty of options...

But yes, if you want to be safe and confident driving in the winter get winter tires without a doubt.

[aris]

If your interested I'm selling my stock oem 16" rims with Goodyear Nordic snow tires. Rims are in perfect shape with no bends or scratches or rash.

Pm if your interested

[dietsprite]

thanks everyone for the insight I will be getting snow tires most likely, as Wes suggested I could try to sell my stock tires and rims later on if there is a market for that. I have a feeling this winter is going to be harsh.

[Zuluwun]

Came to give an answer, read the thread and found that you already got your answer. This made me slightly sad.. lol, good choice though. I've done A/S tires and proper winter tires and the difference is significant.

[silverstarmazda]

the best all season tire will perform like the worst snow tire in winter. at least thats what they say

[hisakix]

Aside from the significant safety perk, make sure you call your insurance agent to get an adjusted rate for having a winter tire package. It's not much, but it's still money you can save just for having the winters on :)

[aris]

Aside from the significant safety perk, make sure you call your insurance agent to get an adjusted rate for having a winter tire package. It's not much, but it's still money you can save just for having the winters on :)
Not all insurance company's offer discounts

[silverstarmazda]

Not all insurance company's offer discounts

they say they would but never do. just another thing they do to trick you into doing business with them. i did get a discount at one point. a good student discount, then to keep the discount i had to get a full g-license.

[r4BBiT]

they say they would but never do. just another thing they do to trick you into doing business with them. i did get a discount at one point. a good student discount, then to keep the discount i had to get a full g-license.

I don't know about tricking you into it, but I get a really good rate with all my discounts (safe driver, alumni, winter tires). ;)

Maybe you should find a good broker?

[Scottobot]

they say they would but never do. just another thing they do to trick you into doing business with them. i did get a discount at one point. a good student discount, then to keep the discount i had to get a full g-license.

RBC gives me a few bucks off for winter tires.

[Aro51]

Definitely agree with many folks here. Winter tires would be ideal, but if you're doing mostly short distance city driving you could get away with just using all seasons. Some things are beyond your control and the winter tires will help improve your odds in a bad situation.

[jay93]

winter tires during the cold snowing months. you want to know why? because all-seasons don't preform the same. when i had my suv (ford explorer) i didn't care for winter tire. no issues rocking all season then. but then i saw the tires on my mazda and was skeptical. very skeptical. i say go for the winter rubbers if it works for you and your reasons but also in you head youll probably feel alot more at ease knowing youre driving with them